THE ACTUAL surgery report and the Hospital Report

[Eva]

Since I received my surgery report, it has been bugging my mind if the report we, the patients, get is the actual report AND if there is another detailed report which is kept only for the confidential use of the Surgeon and/or doctors?!

Another question: are we entitled to ask for a copy of the medical progress reports while we were in the hopital?

Anyone knows? and if so, how to make sure to receive the full details of what really happened inside the OR or during our stay?

I know I should have asked this question two years ago. But "better late than never"! :smile2:

Thanks.

 

[Luana]

Contact the Medical Records department at the hospital where you had your surgery. You have a right to receive all information, including nurses' notes, doctors' notes, test results, medications, etc. You can get as little or as much as you like. If it were me, I'd get everything. There's usually a charge, about .25 per page or you can get it on a CD for about $5.

 

[Bina]

A couple of years ago I call the Medical Records Dept and asked for my surgical summary and angiogram reports.
The summary gave me enough to digest at the time.

 

[Jkm7]

Did many people here request full records from the hospital? I can't decide if, three years later, I might request them.

 

[Greg a]

my lawyer got the full version as we contiplated action on Bayer ......poor guy tied up an article student for almost a week pouring over it

 

[njean]

Since I received my surgery report, it has been bugging my mind if the report we, the patients, get is the actual report AND if there is another detailed report which is kept only for the confidential use of the Surgeon and/or doctors?!

Another question: are we entitled to ask for a copy of the medical progress reports while we were in the hopital?

Anyone knows? and if so, how to make sure to receive the full details of what really happened inside the OR or during our stay?

I know I should have asked this question two years ago. But "better late than never"! :smile2:

Thanks.

When I filed for disability, I obtained copies of every single correspondence I could, ranging from surgical reports to even the notes the doctors made in my charts. I had to pay for some of them but it was worth it to me!

You have a right to ask for everything that is in your medical file, my friend.

Note: Some medical records may not be available to you IF they are over 10 years old, at least that was what I was told when I asked for records dating back to 1975. Luckily for me though, the surgeon who performed the surgeries in '75, had retained some of the reports in his file!

So contact the hospital, the doctors involved and get your records!

Stay well!

 

[Marcia58]

You're allowed to ask for everything--I did. I've got (I think) a couple hundred pages. VERY ENLIGHTENING! I have a moment-by-moment record of my surgery, among other things. And I found out about a procedure that was done, but which neither my family nor I were informed of!

Also, there may be psychiatric records, as well, if the medical staff felt it necessary to have your mental state assessed. You will probably have to request those specifically, or their existence may never come up.

Your hospital very likely has a records request form you can fill out.

Happy hunting! Marcia

 

[nngbwh]

Eva, All good questions. I'd try ringing up the hospital and asking they might direct you to Medical Records Dept.

 

[Eva]

Thanks to you all. I have sent a fax to the Hospital and I hope to receive all the reports and the details I want to read.

 

[drivetopless]

Hi, Eva- I just received copies of all hospital/surgical reports. Forturnately, my file was not so big as there were no complications while I was there (those came 2 weeks later). It was interesting to read how long I was on the by-pass machine (170 mins, 120 mins coss-clamp time) and to what temperature I was cooled (28C) and how many sutures where used (11) to tie in the valve.

 

[Eva]

Hi, Eva- I just received copies of all hospital/surgical reports. Forturnately, my file was not so big as there were no complications while I was there (those came 2 weeks later). It was interesting to read how long I was on the by-pass machine (170 mins, 120 mins coss-clamp time) and to what temperature I was cooled (28C) and how many sutures where used (11) to tie in the valve.

This is great! thanks. I hope I can be sent all the details I like to know.

I interested now in those reports because I am starting to feel more settled and I want to grab control over my health to help improve it.

The report I received 2 years ago from the Surgeon's office had five items. The fifth item was: "Re-Operation"!! I never got an exact answer ... Was I reoperated on? or what? After several phone calls, one NP in the Surgeon's office told me that there was no fifth item...that was a misinterpretation of the typist! The Surgeon was dictating to the machine and he meant to tell the details "Regarding Operation":confused2:. This could be true, but I feel I need to see it in writing.

Also, I would like to know what the NP did on my valves that entitled her to charge my insurance ... the Procedure was: "Mitral Valve and Aortic Valve"... no other explanation. And no mention of this in the Report I received! At the time I received the Insurance claims, I thought that person could be a resident doctor or ? I never imagined that person was a NP.

Maybe NPs do clean valves or measure them?:confused2: If anyone knows if NPs can measure or clean valves or ?, please help me have some peace of mind.

Also, when I woke up the third morning in the hospital, the Nurse told that my oxygen level dropped tooooo low during the night!! I was not in a state to ask questions. But NOW, I want to know was there any action taken then?! or the Nurse just observed this and did nothing about it!!!

I hope to hear convincing answers soon, no matter what they are.

Thanks to all of you again...as wonderful as ever.

 

[drivetopless]

Yes- definitely get your reports and read through them. The surgeon probably was assisted by one or two other trained assistants.

My surgeon was assisted by a Physician's assistant who works with him in his practice. Her name was listed on the report, so I assume she played a key role. There was mention of simultaneous prep of the femoral artery in the groin, so I know that two people at least were cutting on me at the same time. The report is very step by step what was done, however, the report does not say who did what.

RE your oxygen levels, when mine were low they just put an oxygen mask/nose tubes on me. Did they do that for you?

 

[Eva]

........................
RE your oxygen levels, when mine were low they just put an oxygen mask/nose tubes on me. Did they do that for you?

Unfortunately, the nurse did not!! That night I used my CPAP machine and my hubby was upset that the Nurse did not add the oxygen tubes to myy nose mask that night. I am curious to know how low my oxygen level went and for how long!

:smile2: